THE FIGHT to force the government into a U-turn and halt the HS2 rail project is intensifying, with more than 70 groups along the proposed route campaigning for a judicial review.

The local authorities coalition which Hillingdon is part of, 51m, is waiting for a response to its letter calling for transport secretary Justine Greening to change her decision.

Eighteen councils, from London to Birmingham, are together threatening to take their fight to the courts.

If Ms Greening does not back down – an outcome which most campaigners think is likely – Hillingdon will join with the other 51m members in gathering evidence for a judicial review.

Camden Council has also lodged a letter of intent and could join 51m in its legal fight. Hillingdon Council leader Councillor Ray Puddifoot, who is vice-chairman of 51m, said he thought the case was strong enough to win.

“We are as confident as we can be that we will succeed in our judicial review,” he added. “We believe we’ve got an extremely good case.”

He warned that, once evidence had been submitted, there will be a quiet period as the case moves through the legal system.

“There will be a period when nothing appears to be happening,” said Mr Puddifoot. “What is vitally important now is that we continue to support the residents’ groups.

“We are going to keep the pressure up and keep our residents as informed as possible.”

The vice-chairman of Harefield Against HS2, Doreen McIntyre, said the legal challenges were hugely encouraging to the borough’s campaign.

“It is not just a case of people whose lives are going to be affected,” she added. “It is being done by people who will have taken a very careful measured decision. They wouldn’t be considering it – and the costs that go with it – if they didn’t think there was something to fight for.”

Hillingdon Against HS2 is holding an information and advice session at St Giles’ Church in Ickenham today (Wednesday) from 3pm to 7pm. Nick Hurd, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, will attend a public meeting organised by the Harefield group in St Mary’s Church Hall, Harefield, on Saturday.

The 51m coalition has until early April to put together its legal challenge. Mr Puddifoot said there was enough money in its fighting fund to meet the costs.